NATIONAL REVIEW OF ADULT LITERACY PROVISION AND FUNDING

The Commonwealth and State Governments were concerned that the demand for adult literacy services exceeded the provision. A steering committee chaired by DEET required a national review of adult literacy provision and expenditure and policy recommendations for future provision.

The review used high level interviews with Ministers and senior public servants and in-depth data collection on both provision (including the types of provision) and expenditure from both the government and voluntary sectors. The resulting analysis and report formed the basis of a Green paper and a subsequent change in funding in this previously neglected area. The review was conducted by Coopers & Lybrand with Hugh Watson as lead consultant and partner and Dean Ashendon as collaborator.